Ordering Drinks in a Restaurant

Soft Drinks
Americans usually agree that sodas, mineral water, and fruit drinks are the most overpriced items on European menus. In Budapest they charge 300-400 HUF ($1.50-$2) for a .25 liter glass/bottle (less than 10 ounces) and refills are not free or reduced (see exceptions below). Some menus state the price according to "dl" which is one tenth of a liter, so be sure to multiply the price by 2.5 for a small and 4 or 5 for a large drink. So have something to drink before you go out to eat if you are thirsty!

No Diet Coke Available
In Hungary, you will probably not be understood if you order a Diet Coke. Instead, they are called Coke Light.

Refills
Subway restaurants in Budapest offer one free refill, and a few McDonalds (the ones with their fountain in the customer area) also offer one free refill. Refills are also free at Ariba (a Mexican restaurant owned by Americans) and a Hungarian all-you-can-eat restaurant called Trofea Grill which has several locations in Budapest. If you visit Budapest and find anywhere else that offers free or reduced refills, let me know.

Water
Tap water is never served with a meal, but you can usually ask for it. Make sure that you specify that it is "tap water" (csapviz--pronounced chop veeze) you want, not plain water which can simply mean mineral water without carbonation. Tap water is perfectly safe to drink in Budapest, but many restaurants would rather serve you the more expensive bottled water. When you order mineral water, you will be asked if you want it with or without gas. This means with or without carbonation. If you buy mineral water in a grocery store, the cap will tell you if it is carbonated (blue cap), mildly carbonated (green cap) or not carbonated (pink cap). In some restaurants you will find "szoda viz" on the menu which is simply carbonated water from the bar (not mineral water) and it is considerable cheaper than the bottled. For people who do not like the mineral aftertaste of the mineral water which can be relatively strong in the "non-gas" version, csapviz or szoda viz is a better choice.

Ice Tea vs. Iced Tea
In Europe, you will usually find "ice tea" on the menu. Do not mistake this for the iced tea served throughout America and especially coveted in the South. It is not freshly brewed, is always sweetened, usually is served in a bottle, and almost never served with ice! I only know of one place in Budapest that brews their iced tea (the Transit Cafe) and they do it by the cup.

Ice
There was a time when ice was never served with beverages in Europe, but it is becoming more acceptable. You shouldn't expect it, and even if ice is available don't expect more than 2-3 cubes in your drink. Europeans are typically concerned about the health aspects of serving beverages very cold, and many coolers in grocery stores keep the beverages only slightly chilled.

Beer
Beer is often the most economical beverage on the European menu--sometimes cheaper per ounce than coke.

Wine
Wine is often charged by the dl, so be sure to calculate the amount you order.

Coffee
Coffee in Hungary is usually quite strong. In fact, many Europeans who visit America complain that our coffee is disgustingly weak. You will often find "American coffee" or "long coffee" (hosszu kave) on the menu. this is simply espresso with hot water added. You will understand the names of coffee beverages offered in restaurants or coffee houses with the possible exception of "Melange" which is an Austrian specialty containing coffee, honey and steamed milk or cream. Most Europeans drink coffee after the meal, not with it. Be sure to read my post about McCafe coffees.

Hot Tea
Often when you order hot tea in Hungary, you will be offered a variety of tea bags from which to choose, but don't be surprised if plain black tea is unavailable. There will be fruit teas and the perfumey Earl Grey (which most Hungarians consider plain tea). Note the difference between a fruit tea and a fruit flavored tea--for example, one will say "peach tea" and the other simply "peach." The latter is caffeine free and contains no tea.